Near, Holly
Show Up
A superb mix of original songs and covers, Show Up showcases Holly Nears extraordinary talent. From her poignant treatment of Jackson Brownes scathing indictment of the big business war machine in "Lives in the Balance" to an ironic rewrite of Laura Loves "I Want You Gone", no topic is sacred to Holly Near. War, peace, love, family, corporation, government, addiction - they all come under her scrutiny on Show Up. Her songs "Family Band" and "Somebodys Jail" have the multi-layered poetry that do for a song what a high-powered lens does for a camera. "I Am Willing" is a healing balm in this time of great discouragement and despair; and she celebrates the environment in Jane Siberrys "Bound by the Beauty". Addiction gets a long hard look in Hollys reworking of the old sea shanty "Drunken Sailor", accompanied solely by Jackeline Ragos driving percussive rhythms.